N.E.R.D. Adds Female Singer Rhea To The Group — Readies Next Album

As Pharrell's group, N.E.R.D., gears up for the next album, Instant Gratification, the group reveals that a new member has been added -- a female singer named Rhea.

In a recent inteview with MTV, Pharrell said Rhea's addition to the group adds a "very 3D" aspect to their sound, which is the reason he scooped her up.

"Musically, we're just somewhere else [with her]," the producer said. "The music is now very 3-D. It's something you have to hear. But you'll see. We're definitely somewhere else. I want to leave that impact moment for when you purchase your download and you purchase your CD. The music is very three-dimensional. We're just really excited. We feel like N.E.R.D. has always been the punks of hip-hop and the outcasts of alternative music -- just a little different. But this time, we're taking no prisoners."

Rhea is a Toronto native of Guyanese descent. She met them once before auditioning for the spot via Skype. She sang "His Eye Is on the Sparrow," and it impressed the guys so much, they signed her to the group.

"It was just a really good time," she said of meeting. "When I came in there and I met them and they heard me sing, I think they decided it was the right fit."

"Don't be bashful," Pharrell added. "We lost our minds. We thought she was great."

N.E.R.D.'s upcoming Instant Gratification album is due out in 2010. Until then, they will be on tour with Jay-Z for the Blueprint 3 tour.

The group consists of Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo , Shay Haley, and now Rhea.